“Christian Elephants” Attack Persecutors in India

I just read this report from the Asia Harvest newsletter (you can read the full newsletter at this link ).

This report is very fascinating.  I've never heard of anything like it before.  Check it out below.

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In 2008, a severe persecution of Christians broke out in the Indian state of Orissa. The end result saw more than 500 Christians murdered, and thousands of others injured and homeless after their houses were reduced to ashes. As a result, Asia Harvest responded and helped the persecuted believers, including building homes for many families. Recently, a strange and dramatic event took place in Orissa, which has many people talking and wondering.

In recent months, herds of wild elephants have stormed villages that are home to some of the worst persecutors. In one village where in August a year ago the Christians had to run for their lives while their homes were being destroyed by rioters, a herd of elephants emerged from the surrounding jungle, the Restoration India Mission reported, “Exactly one year later, at the same time of the day, the persecutors had to run for their lives, from nothing less than a herd of wild elephants! These elephants first attacked a rock crusher machine owned by a key leader of the persecution movement. They then went on to destroy his house and farm. Gaining momentum, they rampaged through other non-Christian homes, demolishing gardens and singling out the homes of persecutors, leaving Christian homes untouched. People ran to the police station to report the disastrous news. In one case, a police jeep that attempted to drive away the herd was attacked and the occupants barely escaped. Truly, God is the avenger of the helpless. These strange attacks have spread, and according to a newspaper report the elephants have already destroyed more than 700 houses in 30 villages, and killed five people.

Nobody in this area has seen or even imagined the unique appearance of a herd of wild elephants such as this. The elephants are not ordinary elephants; they appear to be on a mission. Typically, smaller elephants enter a village first, appearing to survey the community. They then rejoin the herd, and larger elephants soon follow and get the job done. “Just what is their job?” you might ask. We think that it might have something to do with avenging the blood of martyrs. In fact, the fear of God has fallen on the local people, who have labeled these elephants, ‘Christian elephants.’”

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